The potential return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the United Kingdom is reportedly contingent on the outcome of a significant legal decision regarding their security arrangements.
Court Verdict on Security Awaited
The couple are imminently expecting a verdict on their long-running plea for automatic, state-funded armed police protection when visiting Britain. Prince Harry has been engaged in a lengthy court battle to reinstate the level of security he and his family previously received. The Duke and Duchess have consistently argued that this protection is essential for their safety during trips to the UK, with sources suggesting Harry is confident of a positive outcome.
Speculation Over Meghan's Travel Plans
While it is thought Prince Harry would likely bring his children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, to the UK if he wins the case, Meghan Markle's plans remain a subject of intense speculation. Her last visit was for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. The couple's children have not been in Britain since the family's move to the United States in 2020.
Royal commentators are divided, with some predicting Meghan will continue to avoid the UK, while others believe her return could be imminent. A potential catalyst for a visit is the Invictus Games event scheduled for Birmingham this summer, marking the one-year countdown to the tournament. Meghan has previously supported her husband at similar ceremonies in Canada and Germany, and Harry is almost certain to attend.
Debate Over Taxpayer-Funded Security
The issue of who should pay for the Duchess's security has sparked public debate. Critics, including veteran Daily Mail journalist Sarah Vine, have argued that as Meghan is not a British citizen, she should not automatically qualify for taxpayer-funded protection. Vine suggested an exception could be made if she were accompanying Archie and Lilibet to visit their British relatives, stating it was "plain wrong" the children have not met their cousins.
Otherwise, it has been suggested the couple, who possess considerable wealth, should cover their own security costs. This viewpoint was underscored by recent reports indicating Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has generated substantial revenue, including an estimated £27 million from sales of her strawberry jam.
The forthcoming court decision will therefore not only determine the security framework for the Sussexes but could also pave the way for a significant royal family reunion on British soil for the first time in years.
